2011 Vicksburg Quarter

2011 Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter, Click to Enlarge

The 2011 Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter will be the US Mint's ninth release as part of its America the Beautiful Quarters Program® and honors the military park found in the state of Mississippi. When released on August 29, 2011, it will also be the fourth of five coins to appear as part of the series that year.

Vicksburg National Military Park of Mississippi was created to commemorate the campaign, siege and battle of Vicksburg during the American Civil War. Seen as a vital military stronghold on the Mississippi River, its possession by the Confederate States of America was to be tested by Union forces of the United States.

To that end, operations were begun by Union forces on December 26, 1862 in preparation to attempt to capture Vicksburg. Many maneuvers were accomplished before the actual siege of Vicksburg began on May 18, 1863. Following 47 days of no supplies and constant bombardment, Confederate forces surrendered Vicksburg on July 4, 1863.

Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter Design

Obverse design: George Washington, the first President of the United States is featured with a portrait shown on the obverse of all of the America the Beautiful coins. It was originally completed by John Flanagan for the 1932 circulating quarter dollar. Surrounding his portrait are the inscriptions of "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "QUARTER DOLLAR," "LIBERTY", "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the mintmark.

Reverse design: Shown on the reverse of the Vicksburg Quarter is an image of the Civil War ere gunboat USS Cairo as it would have looked steaming on the Yazoo River during the war. The Cairo was salvaged and is now on display at Vicksburg. Also shown on the reverse are the inscriptions of "VICKSBURG," "MISSISSIPPI," "2011" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.